Guest Blogs

Editor’s note: Janet Taber, who lives on a farm in Almartha in northern Ozark County with husband Stan, wrote this piece last week referencing her grandson Wyatt Alms, who graduated from Gainesville High School on May 19.    Early this morning, the wranglers on our place were hard at work before...
  Bakersfield’s track relay team competed at sectionals last week, and while they didn’t advance to state, the team did achieve a personal record. Shown are Nathan Watlington, Gaige Samuels, Coach Tammy Lamb, Jacob Watlington, Brooks Amburgy, Amani Kowiti and assistant Kurt Watlington.

Caulfield Membership Fire Department recently received these self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and oxygen tanks, which were paid for with grant funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire chief Shannon Sisney said the department would not have been able to purchase the needed gear with money its received from dues. He said only about half of the residents within the Caulfield fire protection area were dues-paying members in 2021.
As most know Caulfield Membership Fire Department received a FEMA grant for equipment in the amount of $57,619 in 2021. This grant paid for new bunker gear for all fire personnel as well as new SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatuses) with extra oxygen bottles. Due to covid, the gear is coming...

Pictured, from left, in this ad for Johnson's Clothing Store in the 1968 Gainesville High School yearbook are Rex Johnson and his family: wife Frances, daughters Lisa (front) and Teresa, son Eric, and parents Jessie and Frank Johnson.
Rex Johnson’s obituary in last week’s Times listed his accomplishments and the many ways he had served his family, community and church in his 89 years in Ozark County. It talked about Frances, his beloved wife of 63 years, and the three adoring children, Teresa, Eric and Lisa, they raised.  But...
Ozark Countians will have the opportunity to vote in three elections this year, including  the General Municipal Election, which was originally set for April 7 but due to COVID-19 concerns has been rescheduled to June 2.  The other elections are the Aug. 7 primary and the Nov. 3 general election,...

While incarcerated in the old Ozark County Jail, Howards Ridge native Roscoe “Red” Jackson and a fellow inmate inadvertently caused the town’s hotel to burn down. Jackson later was convicted of murder and was executed by hanging in 1937.
In parts one and two of this Ozark Journey, we touched briefly on the structure of Ozark County’s old stone jail that still stands near the foot of Harlin Drive in Gainesville and a few memorable incidents that occurred there. During the 30 years this facility was in service, the crimes of several...

After three weeks of not being able to see her family, Gainesville Health Care Center resident Dorcas Rackley was happy to have a through-the-window visit Monday with her daughters, from left, Kay Young, Barbara Rackley, Peggy Johnson and Patty Donley. Her son Steve Rackley lives in Republic and hopes to visit later.
Imagine that you are a resident of a nursing home. Your mind is still clear, but physically you just can’t live on your own. Until the COVID-19 virus crisis, each day began by being awakened by an aide to get ready for the day. By 7:20 you are in the dining room sitting at a table with your friend...

While incarcerated in the old Ozark County Jail, Howards Ridge native Roscoe “Red” Jackson and a fellow inmate inadvertently caused the town’s hotel to burn down. Jackson later was convicted of murder and was executed by hanging in 1937.
  In parts one and two of this Ozark Journey, we touched briefly on the structure of Ozark County’s old stone jail that still stands near the foot of Harlin Drive in Gainesville and a few memorable incidents that occurred there. During the 30 years this facility was in service, the crimes of...

After three weeks of not being able to see her family, Gainesville Health Care Center resident Dorcas Rackley was happy to have a through-the-window visit Monday with her daughters, from left, Kay Young, Barbara Rackley, Peggy Johnson and Patty Donley. Her son Steve Rackley lives in Republic and hopes to visit later.
  Imagine that you are a resident of a nursing home. Your mind is still clear, but physically you just can’t live on your own. Until the COVID-19 virus crisis, each day began by being awakened by an aide to get ready for the day. By 7:20 you are in the dining room sitting at a table with your...

Wayne and Doris Sayles stand by the jail door they bought several years ago at a local garage sale. It is the original door from the stone jail and was used for a while in the next jail that was included on the top floor of the Ozark County Courthouse that was completed in 1939. A local resident bought the door from the county in an auction on the courthouse steps when the jail was moved into the “new” Ozark County Sheriff’s Office. It was restored to its original position in the jail. The bars to either side of the door are not original.
In part 1 of this journey back in time, we discussed some of the background and motivation for building a new county jail at Gainesville in the early days of the 20th century. The construction details are vague, but we do know that the land was acquired and an “improved” stone building was...

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Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423